Road Test: 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate FWD

A Fun Crossover You Will Love to Drive

Hyundai is all-in with crossovers and SUVs. Divided into four consumer categories, Hyundai has targeted its seven different models to Singles/Couples, Early Family, Full Nest Family and Early Eco Adopters. They are confident they offer something perfect for any lifestyle.

A good example of Hyundai having something for everyone is the 2019 Kona Ultimate. Available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive with two engine options, this fun compact crossover has style and versatility for city and freeway driving.

Driving Experience: On the Road

There are four trim levels for the Kona: SE, SEL, Limited and Ultimate. The first two get a 2.0-liter non-turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 147 horsepower (hp) and 132 pounds-feet of torque (lb.-ft.). Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the front-wheel drive 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate, which had a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The 175 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque was distributed to the front wheels through the seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The EPA rating of 28 city/32 highway/30 combined miles per gallon (mpg) are good fuel economy numbers, but we took the challenge to see if we could do better.

In 310 miles of 75-percent highway/25-percent city driving, we averaged 32.2 mpg. However, in a 180-mile all-highway run, with the cruise control set at 65 mph and in the Normal drive mode, we achieved 37.2 mpg. So, if driven judiciously on long freeway runs (think: vacation road trips) exceeding the EPA rating is quite doable. If you are not familiar with turbocharged engines, they produce added power the faster the engine is turning, as when starting from a stop light, accelerating hard to enter a freeway or maneuvering in stop-and-go rush hour traffic. This is when the engine is at its least efficient, as far as fuel consumption is concerned, because the turbocharger is repeatedly spinning and demanding more fuel. But cruising out on the freeway, where the turbocharger is not being called on, the Kona gets very good fuel economy. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

There are two driver selectable drive modes of Normal and Sport, offering both economical and spirited driving options. The torque kicked in at a very low 1,500 rpms and pulled nicely up-to 4,500 rpm with the peak right around 3,000 rpm, producing zero-to-60 times in under seven seconds. There was a bit of hesitation on slow speed launches, most likely due to the dual clutches engaging and a bit of turbo lag. However, this very brief sensation was not a hinderance to performance or drivability, and once up to speed, it was a non-issue.

There was plenty of pull even at freeway speeds, with the DCT transmission shifting smoothly and quickly. With increasing speeds, the transmission easily finds the right gear to be in, especially when in the 3,000 rpm sweet spot. The acceleration felt natural and linear, with Sport mode holding the gears longer, giving a feel of sportiness. Out on the freeway, Normal had enough oomph to go from 65 to 75 mph quickly, with the transmission finding the right gear to match the necessary demand.

The Kona’s handling was aided by brake torque-vectoring. This technology drags the inside brake to help rotation through corners. The Kona brake torque-vectoring system, when combined with the motor-driven power steering, provided for neutral cornering. Clean Fleet Report’s Kona Ultimate FWD had 18-inch alloy wheels, and 235/45R Goodyear Eagle Touring tires that gripped well. With the MacPherson struts and multi-link suspension, the Kona was nimble, with a little body roll felt only on the tightest corners. While the Kona is not a luxury car, the freeway ride is smooth enough to belie its size and low 3,344-pound weight.

Driving Experience: Exterior

The 2019 Hyundai Kona has a long wheelbase and short overhangs. The front angle hits you with a large mesh-pattern grille with separated LED headlights and daytime running lights, which gives the Kona eyebrows. Hyundai refers to the cladding as armor; it starts on the fascia and wraps the front fenders, continues below the highly sculpted doors, and then wraps the rear fenders and rear. If you get the all-wheel drive Kona, then armor would be a good thing to have when going off road through bushes and rocks. Otherwise, it is just a nice design element. There is a lot going on with the exterior design that may take a few people a while to warm up to, but not Clean Fleet Report. Our Kona was painted in Sunset Orange, a color that guarantees your car will never would go unnoticed in a parking lot.

Driving Experience: Interior

The Kona Ultimate’s dash has logically laid-out controls, including a volume and channel knob for the radio, and one each for the fan speed and temperature control. Simple and easy to understand. A shout-out to Hyundai for the head-up display, something we here at Clean Fleet Report would like to see standard on all cars; finding this feature on a non-premium car is a plus. The display shows speed limit, miles per hour and other information that can be selected from the settings menu on the display screen. The ability to look straight ahead to see the vehicle’s vital information goes a long way for a safer and more attentive driver.

Soft touch materials are not as prevalent as hard plastic, but not in a negative way. Glossy Black replaced chrome, and looked sharp against the black leather seating surfaces, steering wheel and shift knob. The large, round speed and tach gauges, with black backgrounds and white numbers, are extremely easy to read.

Clean Fleet Report’s Kona Ultimate trim level came standard with leather perforated seating surfaces with the front seats heated and the driver’s side featuring eight-way power adjustability with lumbar support. The front passenger’s seat has manual adjustments. Padding and thigh bolstering was ample so as not to induce fatigue on long drives. The center armrest is nicely positioned, height wise.

Hyundai says the Kona seats five passengers, as in three out back. This is doable in a pinch, but make it two adults and keep your rear seat passengers 5’ 9” and shorter for a more comfortable journey. As with all compact crossovers, the storage area is okay, but when the rear 60/40 seat back was folded flat, storage was greatly increased. I was able to get an eight-foot kayak in the Kona, making this crossover a true utility vehicle.

Clean Fleet Report’s Kona Ultimate was fully optioned with an 8.0-inch color touchscreen with navigation for the infotainment (information and entertainment) system. Our tester had the eight-speaker, 315-watt Infinity Premium Audio system with HD FM/AM/SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all of which can be managed by the leather-wrapped steering wheel mounted controls. Other features of the system include iPod/USB ports, AUX and audio input jacks, and Bluetooth for voice controls and hands-free telephone calling. All-in-all, a very driver friendly and easy to figure-out and operate system.

Our Kona Ultimate came with Hyundai’s BlueLink Connected Services, cruise control, Homelink rear view mirror, rain-sensing front windshield wipers, and a power tilt and sliding sunroof. The keyless entry and start, power and heated side mirrors with turn signals, and a tilt and telescopic steering column were nice features.

Safety

The 2019 Kona Ultimate has safety features of front and side airbags, four-wheel power disc ABS brakes with brake force distribution, a tire pressure monitoring system and a temporary spare tire. For security there was a remote panic alarm. The Kona Ultimate trim level came standard with forward collision avoidance, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic collision warning, parking distance warning when in reverse, lane change assist, rear view camera, electronic stability and traction control systems, and hill start assist.

The 2019 Kona earned a Five Star overall rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Pricing and Warranties

Clean Fleet Report’s 2019 Kona Ultimate FWD, with the carpeted floor mats option ($125), had a MSRP of $27,625. The base SE model starts at $18,600. Prices exclude the $1,045 freight and handling charge.

The 2019 Kona comes with these warranties:

Powertrain – Ten years/100,000 miles

New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles

Anti-perforation – Seven years/Unlimited miles

Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles

Observations: 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate FWD

The Kona is part of the extensive Hyundai crossover SUV line-up, joining the Venue, Kona EV, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade and Nexo. Not many other companies offer such a wide array of sport utility vehicles.

But useful utility is the key. How does the 2019 Kona handle people and their stuff? For a compact crossover, it does fine, especially with the rear seat folded flat. Singles and couples will get the most use out of the Kona, making it a contender in the already crowded compact crossover segment.

If you are considering a vehicle of this size, the Kona’s exterior and interior design, plus good fuel economy, safety equipment, and outstanding warranty, should place it on your “must see” list.

Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.